Oddly, Ubisoft has taken the decision to reduce the number of players that can take part in online terrorist hunts to just two. In the last game, it was you and up to three buddies: now it’s you, a mate, and two AI squad mates controlled by the host. This bizarre move seems like foolish pride on the part of the developer (yes, we know your new friendly AI is great, but do we have to take it into multiplayer too?), and is the sort of thing that’s bound to upset the hardcore Clancy-ites. And that includes us, by the way.

All in all, though, the Rainbow Six experience has improved. A bit. The idea of having the custom-character system working across the entire game is a solid one, and the improvement in team-mate behaviour makes the single-player mode easier to digest. But Ubisoft is asking big favours of the Clancy community by demanding half a ton for this glorified expansion pack, especially as this game showcases the duller, more forgettable sides of Sin City.

This is still an imminently playable game, but the first Rainbow Six Vegas owned the Strip, setting future expectations very, very high. As good as it is, this sequel doesn't evolve enough to up the ante and put pressure on the other high rollers. Maybe it's time for Rainbow Six to step away from the craps table and the roulette wheel while it still has the Kevlar vest on its back.

Mar 18, 2008